Know the Age of Consent for a Minor

Know the Age of Consent for a Minor

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In the United States, there are laws and regulations that are in place in regards to the minimum age an individual must be in order to legally engage in sexual intercourse or sexual activities. The age of consent is implemented with the purpose of protecting a minor from being taken advantage of in a sexual way. The age of consent is meant to reflect an appropriate age at which a minor is capable of making a rational and informed decision in regards to his/her sexual identity and to properly choose to engage in sexual activity if they wish. In the United States, the age of consent will vary from state to state, though usually it will range between 16 and 17 years of age. Engaging in sexual activity with a minor that is under the age of consent is considered to be a crime in the United States, which is known as statutory rape.